More Woodgrain

I have been crazy busy this week, as shown by the fact that I haven't posted anything in over a week. This is one of 5 projects featured in my upcoming Wonderful Woodgrain class. The woodgrain elements lend themselves well to simple designs with clean lines and a modern, earthy feel.

The stamped images in this class are primarily by Hero Arts. They have some really great new stamp sets. I already bought several of their sets, but my wish list from their catalog is long.

Good Morning everyone,

This morning I would like to draw your attention to a website that I visit almost daily...Craft Critique. If you are a crafter, product information is so helpful. Sometimes we really aren't sure which products are as good as they say they are, exactly what they are good for, etc. This site offers reviews of all sorts of craft products, by crafters just like you and I. I have found these to be very beneficial. In fact, I'll just tell you a little story.

I've been teaching a technique class in which I use the Palette Stamp n' Stick Gluepad. That was the only gluepad I had tried. I was satisfied with the results I was getting, so I stuck with that one. Well, back in October I read this review on The Essential Gluepad by Tsukineko. Based on that review I decided to give The Essential Gluepad a try. I love it. Both inkpads still have their place and I use them for different applications. The Cuttlebug Embossing Techniques Class that I teach now incorporates both of those gluepads and teaches students the very best applications for each inkpad.

I have had a link to the Craft Critique website on my blog ever since I discovered it (shortly after starting my own blog). But I know that with all the lists on the side, things can tend to get overlooked. I hope you will check it out, there is a lot of great information available that could save you money by helping you to make an informed decision when buying your crafting products, as well as helping you gain a better understanding of products you may already own.

Hero Arts Woodgrain Stamp

I've been playing with the new Woodgrain Pattern stamp by Hero Arts...SO FUN! Here I used Distress Inks to create this great "wood panel". I was very impressed with how realistic this looked.

The additional elements were both die cut out of Core'dinations Cardstock with Spellbinders dies.

This post is going to be short and sweet (as most of mine are) because I have a ton of things to do today, but I just wanted to share this with you.

Wonderful Woodgrain

Lately I've been finding myself drawn to simplicity. Maybe it's the fact that my house has been feeling overwhelmingly cluttered lately, I don't know. But when I decided to teach a class incorporating the new woodgrain products that have been flooding the papercrafting market recently, simlicity seemed like the perfect fit for these intricate woodgrain patterns. The card you see here incorporates woodgrain patterned paper by Hambly Screenprints.

I'm glad I can easily simplify creatively, but I think I need professional help decluttering my house. Anyone want to volunteer???

Snow and Daffodils

No I don't have any pictures of it, but yes, it is indeed snowing on the daffodils here in McMinnville. I am sure I've said it before (lol), but I love snow. It is just so magical how it covers up all the leafless trees and bare dirt, and turns them into something spectacularly beautiful. I realize this snow isn't going to be sticking around long, but I'm sure going to enjoy it while it lasts.

Meanwhile, I do have a picture to share with you.This is another of the quick and easy cards we will be creating in the Scripture Blessings class.
I love the beautiful fonts they used in this stamp set by Cornish Heritage Farms.

I hope you all have a wonderful day today!

Nestabilities Jewelry

I've been loving making jewelry lately. This is one of several items that I made for a class coming up soon at Stampin' Cat in Salem. This bracelet is made with Shrink Plastic. I used the Nestabilities dies by Spellbinders to create the ovals. I love it as a bracelet, but have already decided that I am going to make a necklace that is just the same.

On a more personal note, illness has his our household again. It is really crazy. We are generally a pretty healthy family, so this winter has been really unusual for us. It seems like someone has been sick almost constantly. And I have definately had more than my fair share. It is making me really ready for some sunshine...I would LOVE to lay in the sun and soak up some rays.

Scripture Blessings Class

So, I am still going on this wonderful Scripture Essentials 1 set by Cornish Heritage Farms. I really do love this set, and am so thrilled that I get to teach a class using this set. March 7th at 1:00pm at Stampin' Cat Studio, will be the debute of this class. We will make 6 cards is 2 hours...or so...it might go a little over that. But unlike usual, I've actually kept the cards in this class fairly simple, so we could make more of them. The cards you see above are some of the cards we will be making in that class. I really am excited about this class, and I hope that you will join me if you live in the area.

Matthew 11:28

I love this verse, what a great word of encouragement. The design of todays card was formed by the words of the verse itself. When I think of calming, relaxing, and restful colors and designs, for me the delicate simplicity of Asian design is what comes to mind. So I chose a muted blue for the cardstock color, embossed the one end with a simple twig design, then stamped the Asian floral image with VersaMark ink before adding the verse.

Supplies:
Stamps - Scripture Essentials 1 set (Cornish Heritage Farms) , Kamon clear stamp set (Kodomo Inc.)
Ink - VersaMark
Cardstock - Black Linen, Gulf (Bazzill)
Other - Forest Branches Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (ProvoCraft), Black Distress Embossing Powder (Ranger Industries), Black Ribbon, Black Brad

Framed

Can you find the verse on this card? Still going with the Scripture Essentials 1 set by Cornish Heritage Farms. I stamped the verse on the little bird, then stamped it again on the inside. You might have to click on the image in order to see the it very clearly. Unfortunately there was no sun in Oregon today which made photographing this card a bit challenging. I forgot to take a picture of the inside, it says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

The self-adhesive white paper lace is by Creative Imaginations. I love that stuff, it is great for inking up to match whatever your doing as well as leaving as is. I just wish they sold packs that were all white. The pack I have is some white, some black. It's great, but as much as I love to alter things, I would LOVE a pack that was all white, ready to be altered.

Oh, and the background image is the Climbing Leaves Backgrounder also by Cornish Heritage Farms. I stamped it with VersaMark ink and embossed with white embossing powder.

It took me forever to figure out what I needed for a finishing touch on this card. After sorting through all of my embellishments, I finally ended up with a Metal Art Frame by K&Co.

I hope you guys don't get sick of this scripture set, because I've only used 3 of the verses so far, and I have 5 more to go.

More Scripture Essentials

I have several friends and family members who are anticipating big changes in their lives right now or very soon, so I am not sure which friend this first notebook is going to. I'll just have to make some more. Besides I want one for myself.

The notebook is 5" square, and is filled with plain white paper. The design and sentiment were embossed with Black Soot Distress Embossing Powder. I stamped with VersaMark Ink rather than the Distress Embossing Ink because I didn't want to be able to rub off any of the release crystals, I just wanted the rough texture that this embossing powder provides.

When I finished making this I was trying to decide whether it needed anything else or not, and I decided, no, I like the simplicity. It allows the simple truth of the verse to be the focus. Thank God for that truth!

Supplies:
Paper Products: Heavy Black Chipboard, Gulf Cardstock (Bazzill), and White text weight paper
Stamps: Scripture Essentials 1 (Cornish Heritage Farms) , Botanicals (Hot Off the Press)
Ink: VersaMark (Tsukineko)
Tools: Bind-It-All Machine (Zutter)
Other: Distress Embossing Powder (Ranger), Labels Two Nestabilities Dies (Spellbinders), Black 3/4" Binding Wire (Zutter)

Scripture Essentials

I finally have in my hand the new stamp set that I have been most anticipating, the Scripture Essentials 1 set by Cornish Heritage Farms.

And guess what, notice the "1" at the end of that title. I'm assuming that means there will be more scripture sets coming, yeah!

Anyway, the yellow paper was created by stamping the Canvas Backgrounder (CHF) with Lemonade Pigment Ink (Ranger), then adding Scattered Straw Distress Ink (Ranger). I finished it off by spraying it with a mixture of Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls and water, although shimmer doesn't really show in the picture.

Supplies:
Cardstock: MatteKote (Judikins) and Black
Ink: Jet Black Archival, Lemonade Pigment Ink, and Scattered Straw Distress Ink (Ranger)
Stamps: Scripture Essentials 1, Silhouette Blooms 1, and Canvas Backgrounder (Cornish Heritage Farms)
Dies: Curved Rectangles Mega Nestabilities (Spellbinders)
Other: White Opal Liquid Pearls (Ranger), White Tulle, Self-Adhesive Pearl (K&Co.), Perfect Gold Perfect Pearls (Ranger)

Igloo Boy

I haven't done a scrapbook page in a really long time, but this picture was to cute not to do something special with. Noah had been out in the snow helping Daddy and the neighbors build this igloo for quite awhile so when it was finally finished he just took a rest inside and looked out at me so sweetly. Seriously, who could resist that smile.